Yesterday in Mexico City to promote his newest film, "Hercules", ex wrestler turned actor Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson finally put long term rumors to rest regarding his appearance in a DC Entertainment film. According to the Associated Press, the Rock stated that a film based on the original Captain Marvel, now called "SHAZAM" (for legal reasons, based on the wizard who empowers him whose name he evokes), is in the works and that he's set to star in it. However, he stated that he was still torn between starring as the titular hero himself, or his arch nemesis, Black Adam. He also didn't confirm or deny a cameo as one of the characters in 2016's "Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice"; only that he will be "putting my heart and soul and my bones into this role".

This confirms a report from July, albeit with a better news source and a less vague statement from the Rock. The comic book hero dates back to 1939 and was at one point the best selling comic book series for what was then Fawcett Comics. The Rock has been on the radar to appear in a film treatment since the early 2000's, but it seems now the pieces are finally coming together. One hopes that DC Entertainment plays the origin straight, as the angle of a child who transforms into an adult superhero form is one of few superhero tropes which has not been played out either in comics or film. Typically, Shazam/Captain Marvel has looked so much like Superman that the latter was once able to impersonate the former in the comics with ease; it might be innovative for the Rock to take a step for diversity as the "big red cheese". On the other hand, he's played villains before, and if his heart is more for Black Adam, it may make for a better performance.

As a benefit to the "Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation", Pristine Comics is selling the highest quality copy of the original 1938 issue of "Action Comics #1" for auction on eBay; the sale officially ends on August 24th. Today, the bidding for the near priceless holy grail of comic books has topped $2,000,000 U.S. dollars and is expected to only rise by the end of the week. As is the nature of eBay, there is no telling who is bidding on the prize or who may go on to claim it, unless they come forward. Figures who would have that much cash to spend on both comics and charity would likely be in the Forbes 400 list, as well as no end of actors or professional athletes.

"Action Comics #1" was naturally the first appearance of Superman, as created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, which was published on April 18th, 1938 (with a sale date of June 1938). It is said that only fifty to a hundred original copies are left, and this is the highest graded copy ever put up for auction - graded a 9.0 (out of 10.0) by the CGC. With almost five days left to go, there is no telling how high the final bid may be.

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Alex Widen has spent twenty seven Earth years examining the medium of comic books around the Brooklyn area. Through extensive research and habitual buying, Alex is able to deliver all your comic news needs. Alex welcomes your feedback at alex.widen@gmail.com.